His basement oasis: 'Man cave' a place for solitude, collectibles and memories

Mar. 6, 2013

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Written by

Jessica Gray

For the Tribune

Brad Wagner began collecting Jack Daniels memorabilia about a decade ago. Now his 'man cave' displays his Jack Daniels Whiskey collectables, his passion for hunting and his love for antlers. / Jessica Gray photos

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Brad Wagner has set up camp in his basement where he has a room of his own.

His “man cave” displays his Jack Daniels Whiskey collectables, his passion for hunting and his love for antlers.

Man caves are usually described as a place of male sanctuary, such as garages, basements or spare bedrooms. There is even a “Man Caves” TV show on the DIY network devoted to creating the perfect male hideaway.

Wagner is assigned to the 819th RED HORSE and stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base. He and his wife, Jamie, moved into their home with their two young children a little more than two years ago. The basement was the perfect spot for Wagner to set up a spot he could call his own.

“I’ve always wanted a man cave,” Wagner said. “I’ve always wanted a place decorated just like I want it decorated.”

Wagner began collecting Jack Daniels memorabilia about a decade ago. He started with a couple of collectable bottle tins he picked up when he was stationed at the Air Force base in Colorado Springs.

“I bought it because I just liked the way it looked,” Wagner said. “Then I figured if I’m going to collect something for decoration, it might as well be something I love.”

After Wagner met Jamie, his collection grew. Jamie is an antique collector herself, and scours antique stores, thrift stores and garage sales for treasures to decorate her part of the home as well as for his man cave. She is responsible for finding his whiskey barrel, collector bottles and many of the other items he owns.

“I love finding things for his man cave,” Jamie said. “It gives me the feeling of finding treasure like when I find my own treasures. I think it’s great that he can finally have a place to put the things he loves. I have decorated the entire top floor with things I like so he has space to decorate with what he likes.”

One piece she found was a Jack Daniels cribbage board to go with her husband’s collection. Jamie stumbled upon the board at a garage sale when they first moved to Great Falls. She purchased it for $2. This one has quickly become his favorite. The board is made out of planks from a whiskey barrel and old nail spikes are used for the pegs.

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While Wagner was deployed in Afghanistan, Jamie wrote to the Jack Daniels company to see if she they would send him a care package with Jack Daniels collectable items. She knew the company was a strong supporter of the U.S. military and thought her husband would appreciate some of their items. The company sent him a package with a hat, T-shirt, bar-towel, playing cards, dice and other small items.

What Jamie wasn’t expecting was an email back from one of the members of the Tennessee Squire Association reporting to her that she had nominated Wagner to be a Tennessee Squire. The only way to become a member is to be nominated by a current member.

According to the Jack Daniels website, the Tennessee Squire Association was created more than 50 years ago to recognize Jack Daniel’s most loyal and responsible consumers. Nothing is asked of squires other than their good will and friendship. Each squire is deeded a small plot of land near the distillery. Wagner was given a square inch of the land of the distillery, complete with a plot number.

Wagner proudly displays his certificate of deed in his man cave along with the rest of his collection. He periodically receives humorous letters and email updates with what the company is doing with piece of land.

In addition to his Jack Daniels collection, Wagner’s man cave is decorated with antlers he’s collected from animals he’s harvested, as well as those he has picked up when out in the woods. An avid hunter, Wagner also grew up watching his dad work as a taxidermist and has loved antlers from an early age.

“I drink Jack Daniels, but I’m addicted to antlers,” Wagner said. “If there’s an antler, I will find it, and collect it. I love to find sheds when I’m out hunting. Whenever I’m in the woods, I look for antlers.”

Although not a trophy, Wagner’s very first deer is mounted on the wall. Wagner also has two turkey mounts on the wall, one which he mounted himself. Books from his favorite authors line the shelves, as well as pictures of his family. No man cave would be complete without a big screen TV, and Wagner’s hangs over the fireplace.

“My man cave is a place I can go, watch sports, or whatever I want to watch on TV,” Wagner said. “I can relax; close the door and just chill out.”